CCE IN THE NEWS

Source: Long Island Business News

LI coalition to lobby state lawmakers

A diverse coalition of Long Island business and civic leaders travel to Albany Tuesday to lobby state lawmakers on a variety of issues affecting the region.

For the 10th straight year, the group known as the Long Island Lobby Coalition will meet with members of the state legislature and the governor’s office to advocate for more funding for transportation, sewage and infrastructure projects, housing, human services, environmental programs, and support legislation to benefit small business and encourage economic development.

Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment and a co-chair of the lobby coalition, said the group brings “critical social, environmental, labor and business issues” to Long Island’s Albany representatives.

“Long Island is one island and we need to speak with one voice to make our island sustainable and livable,” Esposito said in a written statement.

Founded in 2009, the lobby coalition brings dozens of organizations together to advocate for Long Island’s needs. Since it began its annual treks to Albany, 10 bills have been enacted and some major infrastructure projects have been funded as a result of its lobbying efforts.

“Bringing together civic’s, chambers and other local organizations helps bring our fair share of resources back from Albany to Long Island for critical projects and services” Eric Alexander, director of Vision Long Island and lobby coalition co-chair, said in the statement.